Morgan Scalley has become one of the best defensive developers in college football.
Just this last season, former star Utah safeties Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki were selected in the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively. Former Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss was also picked in the third round. Their selections added to the growing crop of former defensive players to make it to the next level under Scalley.
The defensive coordinator’s developmental track has also led to success on the field.
In 2023, the Utes’ defense ranked 13th in the nation. It was the driving force for the Utes 8-5 season, despite key injuries to quarterback Cam Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe and more. Even though Utah had turnover in its secondary, Scalley expects a similar showing from the Utes’ defense this season, particualry due to the consistency of the front seven.
“(Big 12) teams bring something different each week,” Scalley said on Friday. “Just like the Pac- 12, you’ve got to be able to be multiple in what you do (on defense). You’ve seen us play 4-3, nickel, some dime, three safety packages, and we’ve got good enough players to be able to do it again.
“There are some very good running backs in this league and some very good offensive lines, but we feel like we stack up well in that category with the physical component of what we do defensively.”
In the Big 12, finding defensive success will start with stopping the run. Last season there were five Big 12 teams ranked among the top 10 rushing attacks in the nation. Not to mention, Oklahoma State, which Utah will open conference play against on Sep. 21, had running back Ollie Gordon finish seventh in Heisman voting and lead the NCAA with 1,732 overall rushing yards a season ago.
Scalley was complimentary of both Utah’s depth and veteran experience on the defensive front, which will be a key factor for success in its new conference. Karene Reid, Lander Barton and Sione Fotu will man the Utes linebacker corps in 2024. The trio combined for 119 total tackles and three interceptions last season.
“Everybody’s been getting a lot of reps, and there’s something to be excited about with each linebacker,” Reid said of Utah’s linebackers. “Everybody’s got their own strengths. So we’ve been mixing and matching lineups, me, Lander, and someone else. We’re always trying to find the best fit.”
Reid, who finished with 67 tackles last season, said the Utes will focus on different looks with the varied offenses of the Big 12. Some of that could even mean loading the box when defending high-powered running backs.
“I guess we’ll see when we get there,” Reid said. “It’s hard to say when each team has a different scheme. I’m sure we’ll make the adjustments that are needed. With a heavier run team in a heavy run conference then we’ll definitely have to load the box.”
On the defensive line, Utah will be led by defensive tackles Junior Tafuna and Keanu Tanuvasa, who had seven and three sacks last season, respectively. The Utes defensive coordinator also gleaned about the talent that Utah has with its edge rushers.
So much so that Scalley was worried he was going to forget to compliment someone. Alongside the veterans of the room, freshman defensive ends John Henry Daley, Kash Dillon, and more received high praise due to their performances in fall camp.
“You don’t want to leave anyone out,” Scalley said, “especially with (Van Fillinger) being healthy, (Connor O’Toole) being healthy and (Logan Fano) is almost 100%. … Good night, I’m going to forget someone and someone’s going to have their feelings hurt, but it’s a good room.”
It’s clear Utah’s confidence in its defense hasn’t wavered, even with its entrance into the Big 12.
And, as fall camp wraps up, Scalley is now focusing on the Utes’ first game, which is less than two weeks away.
“A lot of the scout work that we do has been our first three opponents,” Scalley said. “But, now we’re honing in on Southern Utah.”
No more Cam Rising runs, plus Isaac Wilson’s rise on offense
While Utah will place an emphasis on protecting seventh-year quarterback Cam Rising in 2024, Andy Ludwig isn’t expecting any drastic changes to come on offense.
Rising has been seen wearing a knee brace on and off in practice. It remains unclear whether or not he’ll wear it for the duration of the 2024 season, but Ludwig did indicate that design quarterback runs have been all but eliminated from Utah’s playbook.
In 2022, Rising had 77 carries for 465 rushing yards and six touchdowns, making him the Utes’ fourth leading rusher that season.
“I think the only schematic change that you would see is less reliance on a quarterback run,” Ludwig said.
“Let’s not dial those up and that puts a little more pressure on the tailbacks. The quarterback run is a great equalizer when you add that 11th hat into the scheme. But, that’s just not going to be a big part of the plan at this time.”
Last week, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham announced freshman and former four-star recruit Isaac Wilson as Rising’s backup. He beat out senior Cal Poly transfer quarterback Sam Huard and sophomore Brandon Rose for the position.
Wilson’s rise came in part from his confidence and understanding of the playbook. He also showcased a bevy of strong-armed throws on the move.
Those traits made Ludwig confident in Wilson’s ability to step up if Rising suffers an injury.
“He was kind of hemming and hawing a little bit, but the hemming and hawing has gone away,” Ludwig said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence. We know he has the arm talent. He’s shown some real escape-ability, which really excites us. I’m fired up for him.”
Utah confirms ‘by committee’ approach in backfield
In years past, Utah has relied on a signature running back to carry its rushing attack.
That won’t be the case in 2024.
“Every back in the room has the ability to be a feature back,” Utah running backs coach Quinton Ganther said. “We’re moving as a group and as a unit. I think the best part of that is we have so many guys that can do so many different things.
“One guy might get a start versus one team and another guy might get a start versus another team based upon how we match up with them.”
Senior running back Micah Bernard, redshirt freshman running back Mike Mitchell and junior running back Jaylon Glover are leading the pack for playing time. Ganther also indicated that sophomore running back Dijon Stanley has risen as a potential option due to his speed and playmaking ability.
The starting gig is still open, however.
“I will not hold anybody back,” Ganther said. “If someone takes over and takes that starting role, I will let them. I’m not holding any of these kids back. So if they show me that’s who they are, I’ll believe them.”
Scalley hesitant to name starters at safety
Utah is looking to replace Bishop and Vaki after the pair of safeties landed in the NFL this offseason.
Bishop finished with 60 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks in 2023. Vaki, who is now playing running back for the Detroit Lions, also tallied 51 tackles and an interception one season ago, meaning their production will be hard to replace in the Big 12.
Scalley notes that there are five players vying for playing time in the two spots. Sophomore safeties Tao Johnson and Nate Ritchie appear to be leading the pack for the starting spots on Utah’s defense, but sophomore Jonathan Hall, junior Rabbit Evans and senior Alaka’i Gilman are also potential options.
With fall camp all but finished, Scalley was hesitant to name two starters before the season opener vs. Southern Utah at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 in Salt Lake City. There’s also an option to have three safeties on the field, depending on the Utes’ different packages in the Big 12.
“We’ve got five guys vying for two spots, and I feel really good about where we’re at,” Scalley said. “I’m not comfortable enough to say we’ve named two starters yet, but I’m excited about those five.
“You’d like to get two to get into a rhythm. We have had three safety groups in the past. That’s where Sione Vaki got his first playing time his freshman year as that third safety. Putting the right 11 on the field is the first priority, and if that right 11 includes three safeties then that’ll be it.”
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